New Hartwell GSP Post Off to Busy Start

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

The commander of the new Hartwell post of the Georgia State Patrol says the new post is already making a difference in the region.

Hundreds gathered last month to celebrate the official opening of the new Hartwell Georgia State Patrol Post.

That is after Post 52 opened in early January.

It covers Franklin, Hart, and Elbert counties.

As Post 52 comes to the end of its first quarter, Post Commander Sergeant Al Whitworth said the post is making an impact on motorist and traffic safety.

“We started our operations January 1st. I’m proud of the guys here. Right now, the Post in Hartwell has actually made more DUI arrests excluding the Night Hawk Unit in Atlanta than any other posts in Georgia,” he said. “Since January, we’ve made 120 DUI arrests and we’ve investigated over 350 accidents.”

Whitworth added that having the new Post means extra patrols in the Franklin, Hart, and Elbert county area, which he said is making an impact with people in the community.

“Particularly in Elbert County, we’ve been able to have a bigger impact there,” he said. “In this Post we cover three counties so having 14 people for the three counties we’re able to offer a bigger presence.”

Whitworth said he is proud of the troopers he commands, some of which are new recruits.